South African living in Zürich, Switzerland
07-03-05, 11:35 AM
#1
S.African in SanFran
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South African living in Zürich, Switzerland
Hi
30 years old, 1.75m (5'7") tall and 70kg (154lbs) originally from Cape Town in South Africa.
Been living in Zürich for 6 years now, and slowly getting back into cycling after a break
of a good few years. 10-15 years ago I was a keen bean, going out 3 or 4
times a week, and when I moved overseas (first to London UK, and then here)
my time was limited and somehow apathy prevailed.
So I'm getting back on the road now - unfortunately still on the same bike
as 15+ years ago, but as long as my enthusiasm conquers my lethargy, I'll be
looking to upgrade in the very very near future (just discovered our new
neighbour is also a keen cyclist). I'm toying with the idea of going to a
few stores and test-riding both carbon and aluminium, to see what the perceptible
difference is ... and will take it from there. I've been out of the game for a while and
so much seems to have changed [yet stayed the same ... :-) ].
My bike:
Alpina (South African brand) made from Reynolds 531, with chrome fork, size 54cm
Early Shimano 105 groupset [shifters on the down tube]
Look pedals [white with red latch]
Mavic rims
Front chainwheel: 42-52 biopace
Rear sprockets: 13-23
Bike weighs 11.2kg (~25 pounds).
Unfortunately my bottom bracket seems to be a little iffy lately, and seems
to "jump" a little on every revolution, so it's definitely time to sell my
old steed, and upgrade to something from the new millennium ...
We live at the top of a hill ... a 3km (1.9 mile) 7% avg gradient hill, so
getting home after a cycle makes the excursion all worthwhile ... nothing like
ending with a decent climb in a 42-23 while not very fit, to get the heart pumping
and the blood flowing.
Perhaps sometime I'll take my camera along and get snap-happy ... some of the
scenery around here is superb ... if you like rolling hills, lakes, sheep, cows,
agriculture, the alps...that kinda thing :-)
Just bought a Trek 6500 MTB in a group with some friends ... they wanted MTBs,
and I want any excuse to go cycling so I figure I could spend some free time in
the forests with them, in between the cycling I really love :-)
It'll serve a dual purpose as I need something to which I can hitch a kiddie trailer
next year too - our first is due in 9 weeks time.
Psyched to be back in the saddle, and hoping that I'll be able to notch up the
distance this summer, as I did in the days of yore.
30 years old, 1.75m (5'7") tall and 70kg (154lbs) originally from Cape Town in South Africa.
Been living in Zürich for 6 years now, and slowly getting back into cycling after a break
of a good few years. 10-15 years ago I was a keen bean, going out 3 or 4
times a week, and when I moved overseas (first to London UK, and then here)
my time was limited and somehow apathy prevailed.
So I'm getting back on the road now - unfortunately still on the same bike
as 15+ years ago, but as long as my enthusiasm conquers my lethargy, I'll be
looking to upgrade in the very very near future (just discovered our new
neighbour is also a keen cyclist). I'm toying with the idea of going to a
few stores and test-riding both carbon and aluminium, to see what the perceptible
difference is ... and will take it from there. I've been out of the game for a while and
so much seems to have changed [yet stayed the same ... :-) ].
My bike:
Alpina (South African brand) made from Reynolds 531, with chrome fork, size 54cm
Early Shimano 105 groupset [shifters on the down tube]
Look pedals [white with red latch]
Mavic rims
Front chainwheel: 42-52 biopace
Rear sprockets: 13-23
Bike weighs 11.2kg (~25 pounds).
Unfortunately my bottom bracket seems to be a little iffy lately, and seems
to "jump" a little on every revolution, so it's definitely time to sell my
old steed, and upgrade to something from the new millennium ...
We live at the top of a hill ... a 3km (1.9 mile) 7% avg gradient hill, so
getting home after a cycle makes the excursion all worthwhile ... nothing like
ending with a decent climb in a 42-23 while not very fit, to get the heart pumping
and the blood flowing.
Perhaps sometime I'll take my camera along and get snap-happy ... some of the
scenery around here is superb ... if you like rolling hills, lakes, sheep, cows,
agriculture, the alps...that kinda thing :-)
Just bought a Trek 6500 MTB in a group with some friends ... they wanted MTBs,
and I want any excuse to go cycling so I figure I could spend some free time in
the forests with them, in between the cycling I really love :-)
It'll serve a dual purpose as I need something to which I can hitch a kiddie trailer
next year too - our first is due in 9 weeks time.
Psyched to be back in the saddle, and hoping that I'll be able to notch up the
distance this summer, as I did in the days of yore.
07-03-05, 12:13 PM
#2
Fluffy Piranha
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Welcome, Gu! I'd love to see pictures of Zurich and its environs. I've been there briefly. I adored it. Congrats on the next generation of cyclist. So many good things!
